PRAYING UNTIL YOU PRAY
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
There are countless prayers recorded in the Bible. Hundreds upon hundreds of books have been written on the subject of prayer. But in its essence, prayer is simply this: communication between us and God. It’s two-way. It’s us relating with Him, and Him relating with us. Sometimes we initiate the conversation. Sometimes He initiates the conversation. It’s really not that complicated.
Communicating with God is, however, not always as fulfilling or as enriching as we’d like it to be. If we’re honest, sometimes it feels like God is a million miles away, as if maybe He’s too busy, not listening or doesn’t even care. Most of us believe these things aren’t true, yet there remains an ache, a longing that lingers inside us.
Today’s Scriptures speak to this longing, and thankfully there’s more. In fact, maybe the longing for more is just what we need. Maybe this longing is what drives us closer to God. I have days when I’ll admit I honestly don’t know what to say to God. Sometimes I’ve said the same words so many times I wonder if I’m just talking to myself. Thankfully, God is showing me that it’s often in these quiet moments that being silent, listening for God – beyond answers and direction – is what I need most. Staying in the conversation, even when there are no words, is what seems to be renewing my strength. So let’s not give up. Let’s move beyond religion and rituals and pray until we pray. Let’s remain present until we sense His presence. Let’s pray long enough and honestly enough to get past the feeling of formalism. Let’s pray until we pray so that eventually we enter into His delight and rest in His love.
All humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.
Blaise Pascal
Application: Stay with God a bit longer today. Pray until sin loses its appeal. Pray until the burden is lifted. Pray until God’s presence becomes real. Pray until prayer becomes more than words. Pray until gratitude rushes in. Pray until you have clarity. Pray until you’re eager to love. Pray until you’re resolved to do His will. Pray until you experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Prayer: God, I long for more of You. I wait for You with my whole being and my hope is in Your Word. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?